MICF 2015: Reviews #11 – by Julian Callinan
After seeing the travel-centric Wander Women (as ably reviewed by Lucy Watson), my evening continued on a heavily comedic theme.
Cal Wilson, Undercurrents
Cal Wilson believes we’re all swans, paddling furiously under ostensibly serene countenances. Or, if not swans, then at least swanlike constructions. Her quick wit and cheery demeanour belies an occasionally dark sense of humour, which the audience didn’t seem to follow as much as I would have liked considering that was some of her most startlingly hilarious material, but by the time she was asking for their favourite Australian sayings they were enraptured and eating out of the palm of her hand. She handles the audience with great ease, and combined with a ripping show of her personal kind of observational humour, it was definitely worth seeing.
Not for MRAs or people who take their Christmas tree down on Boxing Day.
Cal Wilson is on from the 26th of March to the 19th of April at the Swiss Club, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 6 pm, with one show at the Town Hall, Saturday the 18th of April at 5 pm.
Show runs for 60 minutes.
Anne Edmonds, You Know What I’m Like!
Anne Edmonds’ show is mainly composed of the sort of intense humour that comes from darkness. From extremely sharp observations and a place of pain comes this very funny show about how we see ourselves reflects in how we see others. It’s a difficult task to mine humour from some of the material she has, but when done well, as it was in this show, the laughter that follows is more than just cheering, it’s cathartic. It’s not purely conventional standup, but it is worth seeing.
Not for emetophobes or anyone who believes depression is just something you can walk off.
Anne Edmonds is on at the Town Hall from the 26th of March to the 19th of
April, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8.30 pm and Sundays at 7.30 pm.
Show runs for 50 minutes.
Kelly Fastuca, I Need An Adult
Kelly Fastuca is back from New York with a show intimate in both topic and venue. And while her time in America hasn’t been all bad, well, it’s the incredibly rare show that is about only successes for its running time. There’s a vividness to her jokes that brings her experiences to life, and while that may be a bit disturbing considering how much time she spent on New York’s subway system, it only enhances her convivial comedy style. Personal and profane, Fastuca’s show is both funny and clearly her.
Not for the overly squeamish or extremely suggestible.
Kelly Fastuca is on at The Grand Mercure from the 26th of March to the 19th of April, Tuesdays to Sundays at 9.45 pm.
Show runs for 50 minutes.
